Chapter 7

Howard had gone to find Donald and the others, but he hadn't shown up even after half an hour.

Zinnia woke from a restless sleep, her body aching with fever. She opened her heavy eyes and met Lucy’s concerned gaze.

"You're up," Lucy said.

"I need to go home," Zinnia whispered. She'd been thinking about packing her stuff and moving out. She couldn't take another minute at the Shaw residence.

Lucy helped Zinnia sit up and shook her head disapprovingly. "The doctor said you must stay in the hospital for two days."

"I can rest as well at home." Zinnia pressed her pale lips together.

Lucy gently rubbed Zinnia's frail back, her voice soft with worry. "Mr. Howard Shaw has gone to get your mom and the others to come see you."

"Let's go back, Lucy. They won't come." Zinnia looked up with teary eyes, her voice husky with emotion.

Zinnia had zero expectations from the Shaws, and she knew Betty would never let them visit her. Her best move was to get out of the Shaw residence before they showed up. They'd picked their side, and she was done with them too.

"Okay, let's go back," Lucy said, glancing at the empty doorway. Half an hour had gone by, and not a single Shaw had shown up, even though they were just a few floors away.

Howard had broken his promise again, and Lucy could tell Zinnia was done hoping for anything from her family.

After the IV was out, Lucy helped Zinnia leave the hospital. They caught a taxi straight back to the residence.

Once they arrived, Lucy walked Zinnia to the living room. Making sure Zinnia could handle the stairs on her own, she stayed downstairs to ask the chef to whip up some light meals.

Zinnia went back to her room–the AC was still on the fritz. Stepping inside felt like walking into a walk-in freezer.

She didn't waste any time. Grabbing a small suitcase from the corner, she tossed her phone charger inside and started ransacking the dresser. Ceramic jars and wooden bottles clattered as she shoved most of them into the basket, leaving just a few behind.

In one swift move, she scooped up the suitcase and bolted downstairs. She ran right into Lucy, who was about to carry a bowl of soup upstairs.

"Where are you going?" Lucy asked, confused. Zinnia's fever blush hadn't even faded, yet she was racing around with a suitcase despite it.

"I'm leaving, Lucy. These are for you and Lucas," Zinnia said. "Take one daily, and your migraines should clear up in six months. This ointment's for Lucas' bad leg pain on rainy days. Tell him to put on a thick layer every night. Once I'm settled, I'll take care of the acupuncture. Give Chef Alfred this herbal sachet to put under his pillow. It should help him sleep better."

As she spoke, she handed Lucy a porcelain jar, a wooden jar, and a small embroidered pouch.

Lucy, Lucas, and Alfred had been the only ones who showed Zinnia kindness at the Shaw residence. If there was anyone holding her back from leaving, it was them.

Lucas always brought her the prettiest flowers from the garden to make her smile, and Alfred saved extra breakfast portions for her. Lucy hovered around with motherly concern, even saying good things about her to Maelis. They felt more like family than the Shaws ever did.

Zinnia had planned to slip out and text Lucy and the others later, but Lucy got worried about leaving Zinnia alone and rushed out of the kitchen, only to catch Zinnia right in the middle of trying to bolt.

"You're not coming back?" Lucy asked, her eyes filling with tears.

Zinnia nodded. "Yeah. They don't like me, so why should I stick around? I'd rather walk away on my own terms than wait for them to kick me out."

This wasn't Tareston–no Master or any other village folks. The Shaws would never put up with her.

"Could you at least grab some soup before you go? You haven't eaten all morning. You're still sick, and your body can't handle this," Lucy said. Her heart broke as she realized what Zinnia meant by being "kicked out."

"Okay." Zinnia handed Lucy the bottle and pouch, set down her suitcase, and took the soup. It was steaming hot, so she carried the bowl to the dining table and sat down to eat.

"Let me get you something else," Lucy said, her voice tight with worry. She couldn't let Zinnia leave without proper preparations.

"Don't trouble yourself, Lucy. I don't want anything from the Shaws." Zinnia shook her head firmly. Her luggage only contained items she'd originally brought with her.

"These aren't theirs. I made two sweaters myself. Winter's coming, and you'll need these," Lucy explained. Then she rushed toward the servant quarters before Zinnia could refuse.

When Lucy suffered headaches, Zinnia had prepared herbal tea that worked wonders. Alfred and the other staff had also benefited from her healing skills.

'Why can't the Shaws see how special she is?' Lucy muttered to herself, feeling her heart ache for Zinnia.

Zinnia watched Lucy walk away, powerless to stop her. She stirred the soup, trying to cool it down faster.

She hadn't eaten anything since last night and barely had a bite this morning. That single filled doughnut wasn't enough to keep her full. After going through that ordeal all morning with a fever, she'd likely crash if she didn't grab some food before leaving.

Zinnia forced down the entire bowl of soup, just to keep herself from passing out.

Lucy hastily packed a bag and handed it to Zinnia. Then she hurried off to find Lucas to have a car ready. Just as she reached the door, she saw Jackson Lynn coming in. "Mr. Lynn?"

Zinnia trailed right behind Lucy. She glanced up at Jackson and quickly looked away, offering no greeting.

"Mrs. Shaw and the others aren't home, Mr. Lynn," Lucy said, instinctively shifting into a protective stance near Zinnia.

"You're Zinnia?" Jackson fixed his gaze on the girl beside Lucy. He frowned at the suitcase in her hand–was she trying to run away from home?

"Mr. Lynn, this is Zinnia," Lucy jumped in quickly, then turned to Zinnia. "This is Jackson Lynn, your oldest cousin." She worried Zinnia might upset him before leaving.

"Lucy, don't worry about getting me a ride. I'll just walk," Zinnia said, completely ignoring Jackson. She knew if Betty caught wind of Lucy helping her like this, she'd definitely make trouble for her.